Underwater communication device

ABSTRACT

An underwater communication device in combination with a chemiluminescent glow stick. The combination comprises a rigid housing having a seat structure for receiving a chemiluminescent glow stick on an outer face of the housing and a loop structure on a second outer face of the housing for attachment to another object. A projectile resides within the rigid housing such that movement of the housing will cause the projectile to move within the housing impacting an inner surface of the housing causing sound vibrations. A chemiluminescent glow stick is engaged with the seat structure, illumination of the glow stick providing means for visual underwater communication. A means for maintaining engagement of the glow stick with the seat structure of the rigid housing maintains the glow stick against the seat structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to underwatercommunication devices. More specifically, the present invention relatesto multiple medium underwater communication devices.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In order to conduct underwater activities such as scuba divingsafely, persons conducting the activity need to effectively communicatewith each other. However, it is often difficult to speak with others dueto common breathing equipment used during the underwater activities.Therefore, several different types of communication devices have beencreated to help divers communicate effectively with one another. Due tothe fact that sound travels approximately four times as fast in water ascompared to air, underwater communication devices have been designed tocommunicate through sound vibrations. The following previously issuedUnited States Patents disclose several of these underwater communicationdevices.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,734 issued to Fish, discloses a DirectionalSound Signaling Device. This invention comprises an elongated tubehousing with a cylindrical metal piston contained within the tubularhousing.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,810 issued to Knight, discloses an UnderwaterCommunication Device and Methods. This invention comprises a striker rodcontained in a rigid tubular housing. The benefits of this deviceinclude the unintentional rattling of the device while a skin diver isswimming.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,736 issued to Gold, discloses an UnderwaterSignaling Device. This device is used by divers and comprises acontainer with loosely-packed or freely-moving objects in a cylindricalcontainer. The invention also discloses an additional benefit of beingmade of brightly colored or florescent material.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,691 issued to Oehem, discloses an UnderwaterSignaling Device and Method. This invention comprises a cylindricalchamber containing a projectile no less than half the inner diameter ofthe cylindrical chamber.

[0009] The above underwater communication devices have been designed tocommunicate by sound vibrations due to the well know fact that soundvibrations travel for great distances in water. However, the aboveunderwater communication devices lack means for visually communicatingin dimly lit water.

[0010] Divers routinely use separate watertight battery operated lampsto illuminate underwater areas that may be dimly lit and also use themto visually communicate with one another. However, divers often dive inconditions where they do not expect to encounter dimly lit conditionsand therefore do not equip themselves with a watertight battery operatedlamp relying on natural light to allow body language communicationbetween the divers. Unfortunately, divers may unexpectedly findthemselves in dimly lit water and can communicate by sound with one ofthe above devices but cannot locate the party communicating to them dueto dimly lit conditions, resulting in increasing the odds of accident.Therefore, there is a need for an underwater communication device thatprovides means for communicating by sight as well as by sound in aconvenient easily maintained device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] To fulfill the foregoing need as well as others, the claimedinvention provides an underwater communication device.

[0012] An objective of the claimed invention is to provide an underwatercommunication device having means for communicating in multiple mediums.

[0013] Another objective of the claimed invention is to provide amultiple medium underwater communication device that is easilymaintained.

[0014] A further objective of the claimed invention is to provide a lowcomplexity multiple medium underwater communication device with meansfor visual communication incorporated with a device suited for audiblecommunication.

[0015] To achieve the foregoing objectives as well as others, an underwater communication device is provided. The underwater communicationdevice comprises a rigid housing having a seat structure for receiving achemiluminescent glow stick on an outer face of the housing and a loopstructure on a second outer face of the housing for attachment toanother object. A projectile resides within the rigid housing such thatmovement of the housing will cause the projectile to move within thehousing impacting an inner surface of the housing causing soundvibrations. A chemiluminescent glow stick is engaged with the seatstructure, illumination of the glow stick providing means for visualunderwater communication. A means for maintaining engagement of the glowstick with the seat structure of the rigid housing maintains the glowstick against the seat structure.

[0016] The device may be used in underwater communication in twodistinctly different ways. First, the device may be used to communicateto others by way of sound. A person using the device can shake thedevice causing the projectile within the housing to move about impactingthe inner walls of the housing producing sound. The device can also beused to visually communicate with others underwater. Glow sticks ofdifferent colors can be used in underwater communication to signify acertain meaning to those viewing the glow stick. More than one glowstick can be used in the device to allow the user to conveniently carryglow sticks of different colors to communicate different messages toother divers, improving underwater communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the underwatercommunication device.

[0018]FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the underwatercommunication device.

[0019]FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a top view of the housing.

[0020]FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the housing.

[0021]FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a tab loop end view of the housing.

[0022]FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows an end view of the housing opposite the tabloop end.

[0023]FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the housing.

[0024]FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the underwatercommunication device designed to accommodate two chemiluminescent glowsticks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-7 show a preferredembodiment of the claimed invention used in all different types ofunderwater diving, hereinafter specifically referring to scuba diving.The underwater communication device 10 shown in FIG. 1 generallyconsists of a housing 15 with two saddles 20 and a tab loop 25, a numberof noise making projectiles 30, a chemiluminescent glow stick 35, and aVELCRO strap 40.

[0026] The housing 15 shown in FIGS. 3-7 is sized to be hand held,preferably 5 inches long and ½ inch in diameter with a hollow interiorcavity 45 making the housing 15 generally tube shaped. The housing 15 ismade of approximately ⅛ inch thick plastic making the housing 15 rigidand strongly resistant to deformation. It is contemplated however thatthe housing 15 could be made of different sizes, shapes, and thicknessesto accommodate different applications. A saddle 20 is located at eachend of the housing 15 for holding the chemiluminescent glow stick 35 andare oriented so that the glow stick 35 is held parallel to the long axisof the housing 15. The saddles 20 shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 areapproximately ½ inch long and ⅜ inch wide with a ⅜ inch radius dishshaped seat. The saddles 20 may be designed to accept glow sticks 35 ofdifferent sizes to accommodate different applications. Further, it iscontemplated that more than one set of saddles 20 may be placed aboutmore than one portion of the housing 15 so that more than one glow stick35 can be utilized in the device.

[0027] A tab loop 25 extends from one end of the housing 15 so that thedevice 10 may be attached to another object such as a scuba diver's vestor belt to prevent the device 10 from being lost during use. The tabloop 25 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7 is {fraction (1/16)} inch thick, ½inch in length, and tapers from a ½ inch width to a ⅜ inch in width. Thetab loop 25 may be sized and shaped differently to accommodate differentapplications.

[0028] The noise making projectiles 30 are generally sized and shaped tofit within the hollow interior cavity 45 of the housing 15 so that whenthe housing 15 is shaken by the diver, the noise making projectiles 30will move about in the interior cavity 45 of the housing 15 impactingthe inner walls creating sound. The noise making projectiles 30 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 are approximately ⅝ inch in diameter and are made ofglass. However, it is contemplated that the noise making projectiles 30may be made of different sizes and other types of materials such assteel ball bearing type balls to accommodate different applications.

[0029] The chemiluminescent glow stick 35 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 isapproximately 6 inches long and tapers from ½ inch in diameter to about⅝ inch in diameter and is readily available from a number ofmanufacturers such as Unique Industries, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pa.However, it is contemplated that glow sticks 35 of different size may beused in the device for different applications. Glow sticks 35 of thistype are generally activated by intermingling the chemical components ofthe glow stick, usually accomplished by flexing the glow stick 35 alongits long axis to break the interior structure dividing the chemicalcomponents and then shaking the glow stick to completely intermingle thecomponents. The chemical reaction between the chemical components causesthe glow stick 35 to glow illuminating the general area around the glowstick 35. Glow sticks 35 come in many different colors that can be usedin underwater communication to signify a certain meaning to thoseviewing the glow stick 35. This is useful in diving safety. As mentionedabove, more than one glow stick 35 can be used in the device to allowthe user to conveniently carry glow sticks 35 of different colors tocommunicate different messages to other divers.

[0030] The strap portion of the VELCRO strap 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2is preferably made of nylon webbing ½ inch in width and 5 inches inlength. The VELCRO fastener is used to connect the ends of the nylonstrap so as to retain the glow stick 35 against the saddles 20. TheVELCRO strap 40 allows glow sticks 35 of different sizes to be used incombination with the housing 15 without having to provide furthercomplicated structure for receiving glow sticks 35 of differentdiameters.

[0031] The device 10 may be used in underwater communication in twodistinct different ways. First, the device 10 may be used to communicateto others by way of sound. A person using the device 10 can shake thedevice 10 causing the projectiles 30 within the housing 15 to move aboutimpacting each other and the inner walls of the housing 15 producingsound. During underwater use, the sound produced by the device 10 willtravel through the water to alert others within range of the presence ofthe person using the device 10. Due to the fact that sound travelsthrough water approximately four times as fast as sound travelingthrough air, underwater communication by sound is very useful.

[0032] The device 10 can also be used to visually communicate withothers underwater. Glow sticks 35 of different colors that can be usedin underwater communication to signify a certain meaning to thoseviewing the glow stick 35 such as red signifying distress or greensignifying summoning another diver. More than one glow stick 35 can beused in the device 10 to allow the user to conveniently carry glowsticks 35 of different colors to communicate different messages to otherdivers as shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, this device 10 provides animproved communication device capable of more effectively communicatingto others underwater.

[0033] Although the invention has been described by reference to someembodiments it is not intended that the novel device be limited thereby,but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as fallingwithin the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, thefollowing claims and the appended drawings.

I claim:
 1. An underwater communication device in combination with achemiluminescent glow stick, the combination comprising: a housing sizedto be hand held having at least one seat structure sized and shaped forreceiving at least one chemiluminescent glow stick on a first outer faceof the housing; a loop structure on a second outer face of the housingsized and shaped for attachment of the housing to a diving vest; atleast one projectile within the rigid housing sized and shaped such thatmovement of the rigid housing will cause the projectile to move withinthe housing impacting an inner surface of the housing causing soundvibrations to be produced; at least one chemiluminescent glow stickengaged with the seat structure, illumination of the glow stickproviding means for visual underwater communication free of mechanicalmoving parts; and at least one means for maintaining engagement of theglow stick with the seat structure of the rigid housing.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein the housing has two seat structures sizedand shaped for receiving the chemiluminescent glow stick, the seatstructures being spaced at a predetermined distance apart and orientedto receive the glow stick along a long axis of the housing.
 3. Thecombination of claim 2 wherein the means for maintaining engagement ofthe glow stick with the seat structures is an adjustable hook and loopfastener, the adjustability of the hook and loop fastener compensatingfor differences in size of the glow stick.
 4. The combination of claim 3wherein there are three projectiles within the housing sized and shapedsuch that movement of the housing causes the projectiles to collidetogether.
 5. An underwater communication device, the communicationdevice comprising: a rigid housing sized to be hand held having at leastone seat structure sized and shaped for receiving at least onechemiluminescent glow stick on a first outer face of the housing; and atleast one projectile within the rigid housing sized and shaped such thatmovement of the rigid housing will cause the projectile to move withinthe housing impacting an inner surface of the housing causing soundvibrations to be produced.
 6. The communication device of claim 5wherein the rigid housing structure has two seat structures sized andshaped for receiving a chemiluminescent glow stick, the seat structuresbeing spaced at a predetermined distance apart and oriented to receivethe glow stick along a long axis of the housing.
 7. The communicationdevice of claim 6 wherein the housing further comprises a loop structureon a second outer face of the housing for attaching the housing to adiving vest.
 8. The communication device of claim 7 further comprising ameans for adjustably retaining the glow stick against the seatstructures.
 9. The communication device of claim 8 wherein the means foradjustably retaining the glow stick is at least one hook and loopfastener structure.
 10. The communication device of claim 9 whereinthere are three projectiles within the rigid housing sized and shapedsuch that movement of the housing causes the projectiles to collidetogether.
 11. A two way hand operable underwater communication device,the communication device comprising: a rigid housing sized to be handheld having a hollow interior cavity; at least one projectile within thecavity sized and shaped such that movement of the housing will cause theprojectile to move within the cavity impacting an inner surface of thehousing causing sound vibrations to be produced; and a coloredillumination means engaged with the rigid housing providing visualunderwater communication.
 12. The communication device of claim 11wherein the illumination means is a chemiluminescent glow stick, thecolor of the illumination coinciding with a predetermined communicationmeaning.
 13. The communication device of claim 12 wherein the housingfurther comprises at least one seat structure sized and shaped toreceive a chemiluminescent glow stick.
 14. The communication device ofclaim 13 wherein the housing has two seat structures spaced at apredetermined distance apart and oriented to receive a chemiluminescentglow stick along a long axis of the housing.
 15. The communicationdevice of claim 14 further comprising a means for adjustably retainingthe glow stick against the seat structures.
 16. The communication deviceof claim 15 wherein the housing further comprises a loop structure on anouter surface of the housing for attaching the housing to a diving vest.17. The communication device of claim 16 wherein the means foradjustably retaining the glow stick is at least one hook and loopfastener structure.
 18. In an underwater communication device comprisinga rigid housing having a hollow interior cavity and at least oneprojectile within the hollow cavity sized and shaped such that movementof the rigid housing causes the projectile to move with the hollowcavity impacting a surface of the cavity creating sound vibrations, theimprovement comprising: at least one seat structure sized and shaped forreceiving at least one chemiluminescent glow stick on an outer surfaceof the housing; and engaging at least one chemiluminescent glow stickwith the seat structure, illumination of the glow stick providing meansfor visual underwater communication.
 19. The underwater communicationdevice of claim 17 wherein the improvement further comprises anadjustable hook and loop fastener maintaining the engagement of the glowstick with the seat structure, the adjustability of the hook and loopfastener compensating for differences in size of the glow stick.
 20. Theunderwater communication device of claim 18 wherein the housing has twoseat structures spaced at a predetermined distance apart and oriented toreceive the glow stick along a long axis of the housing.
 21. Anunderwater communication device especially suited for use during nighttime hours, the communication device comprising: a rigid housing sizedto be hand held having a hollow interior cavity; at least one projectilewithin the cavity sized and shaped such that movement of the housingwill cause the projectile to move within the cavity impacting an innersurface of the housing causing sound vibrations to be produced; and anillumination means engaged with the housing providing visual indicationof the origin of the sound vibrations produced by the projectileimpacting the inner surface of the housing so that underwater activitycan be conducted in dimly light water.
 22. The communication device ofclaim 21 wherein the illumination means is free of mechanical movingparts.
 23. The communication device of claim 22 wherein the illuminationmeans is a chemiluminescent glow stick.
 24. The communication device ofclaim 23 wherein the housing has two seat structures on a first outerface sized and shaped for engaging the glow stick, the seat structuresbeing spaced at a predetermined distance apart and oriented to receivethe glow stick along a long axis of the housing.
 25. The communicationdevice of claim 24 wherein the housing further comprises a loopstructure on a second outer face of the housing for attaching thehousing to a diving vest.
 26. The communication device of claim 25further comprising a means for adjustably retaining the glow stickagainst the seat structures.
 27. The communication device of claim 26wherein the means for adjustably retaining the glow stick is at leastone hook and loop fastener structure.